Posted by ronaldo on December 16, 2006, at 17:24:37
In reply to Re: Dopamine deprivation - starvation? » ronaldo, posted by dessbee on December 16, 2006, at 13:39:59
Hello dessbee,Thank you for your response. No I do not have any of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. No hallucinations, no delusions, no thought disorder. Social isolation makes it hard to assess myself but I think I am self-aware enough and possessed of sufficient insight to make a true report.
I feel considerable frustration because it seems to me that the Zyprexa which is supposed to relieve my negative symptoms depletes the dopamine which causes a dopamine deficit which is RESPONSIBLE for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (in the first place). There seems to be a vicious circle here.
"Moreover, a dopamine deficit has been also hypothesized as the central mechanism explaining the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. These symptoms are the consequence of a deficit of normal behaviours and include affective flattening, alogia, apathy, avolition and social withdrawal. There is thus a great overlap between symptoms of depression and negative symptoms of schizophrenia."
and
"The mechanism of action of olanzapine is unknown, however it is theorized that olanzapine's antipsychotic activity is mediated primarily by antagonism at dopamine receptors(does not allow dopamine to activate the dopamine receptors), specifically D2. Serotonin antagonism may also play a role in the effectiveness of olanzapine, but the significance of 5-HT2A antagonism is debated among researchers."
Why am I taking a medicine - Zyprexa - which theoretically seems to be reinforcing my negative symptoms? Am I mad or is my doctor mad?
....ronaldo
> Your diagnosis seems uncertain.
>
> Have you experienced any positive symptoms of schizophrenia (delusions, auditory hallucinations, thought disorder)?
>
> In my opinion negative symptoms of schizophrenia could also be symptoms of depression.
>
> There is also the possibility that you are suffering from psychotic depression. Patients with psychotic depression also show schizophrenic's positive symptoms. The difference is that patients with psychotic depression usually are aware that these thoughts are not true.
poster:ronaldo
thread:714230
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061212/msgs/714312.html